This Day That Year: Rohit Sharma scored his maiden double century in ODIs
It was a historic day for Indian Cricket as Rohit Sharma
became the 3rd player in history to score a double century in ODI
cricket during the decider against Australia played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium,
Bangalore on 2nd November 2013.
Australia captain George Bailey won the toss and decided to
field first. Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma provided a flying
start with positive strokes to put pressure on the Australian bowlers. In the
first 10 overs, Shikhar and Rohit scored 64 runs.
Dhawan completed his fifty off just 43 balls to put pressure
on the Australian bowlers. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma looked solid taking
his time. Xavier Doherty provided a breakthrough for Aussies getting rid of
Shikhar Dhawan for 60. India lost their 2nd wicket immediately as
Virat Kohli was dismissed for 0.
Rohit Sharma showed his composure and reached his fifty off
71 balls. Suresh Raina joined in with Rohit steading the Indian innings with
attacking stroke play. After a good brief partnership, Raina and Yuvraj Singh were
dismissed in quick succession to leave India in some trouble at 207 for 4.
Rohit upped the ante and completed his century off 114
balls. After reaching the century, the opener created enough pressure on the
Australian bowlers with big hits. It was an amazing hitting by Rohit who showed
his hitting abilities to reach his 150 off 140 balls. He continued to punish
the Australian bowlers with sixes and made life tough for the visitors.
The crowd at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore enjoyed it as
Rohit completed his maiden ODI double century off 140 balls. MS Dhoni also
joined in the party reaching a half-century off 35 balls. Rohit and Dhoni added
167 runs for the 5th wicket. Rohit Sharma was finally dismissed for
a sensational 209 off 158 balls with 12 fours and record-breaking 16 sixes. His
knock helped India to post a massive total of 383 for 6 in 50 overs.
Chasing the target of 384 runs to win, Australia looked in
deep trouble as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Glenn Maxwell played a
blinder of an innings making 60 off 22 balls. Shane Watson smashed the Indian
bowlers scoring 49 off 22 balls.
James Faulkner showed his six-hitting abilities and created
enough pressure on the Indian bowlers. MS Dhoni tried everything, but Faulkner
made life tough for the hosts. His batting partner, Clint McKay gave support to
him. Ravindra Jadeja got the breakthrough for India dismissing McKay. Faulkner
and McKay added 115 runs for the 9th wicket.
It was looking that Faulkner was taking the match away from India,
but Mohammed Shami dismissed him to help India win the match by 57 runs.
Faulkner made a breath-taking 116 off 73 balls.
The 7 Match ODI series between India and Australia was a
cracking series as the hosts chased down their highest successful run chases in
their ODI history.
This is the first time that India has won an ODI series
against Australia in India. For his 209 off 158 balls, Rohit Sharma was named
the man of the match and man of the series award.
India 383 for 6 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 209, Dhoni 62,
Doherty 2/74) beat Australia 326 in 45.1 overs ( Faulkner 116, Maxwell 60,
Shami 3/52, Jadeja 3/73) by 57 runs.
This Day That Year: Rohit Sharma made his maiden ODI double century
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